AlCircle News Edited By "Debanjali Sengupta"
Debanjali Sengupta is a passionate content writer with 10 years of experience in Business writing, Web Content writing, Blogging, Editing and Research. She is responsible for generating and editing content for AlCircle Newsletter and other online and offline content for enhancing the brand value and its visibility among global users.
Protective Measures against COVID-19: JNARDDC manufactures an all-aluminium food-operable sanitiser dispenser
According to a recent report, Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur, has manufactured an all-aluminium foot-operable sanitiser dispenser and alcohol based advanced hand sanitiser named Corovirunil. The purpose of inventing foot-operable dispenser is to curb the spread of coronavirus from an infected person to others while using the same sanitiser bottle with hands. The foot-operable dispenser will require the users to press the pedal of the dispenser with their feet to get sanitiser. Bottles of different sizes from 500ml to 1 litre could be fixed to the dispenser, fabricated from aluminium alloys. Various extruded and rolled aluminium products have been used to manufacture the dispenser; hence, it can beat any sanitiser dispenser in terms of...
Chinese alumina market participants worried about supply disruption if caused by Hydro’s Alunorte production cut
On Tuesday, June 23, Chinese alumina market participants reported that they are keeping a close eye to Hydro’s recent power outage in Brazil to determine if the incident would cause a long-term alumina supply disruption. “Although it might impact only around 100,000 tonnes of alumina supply to the world, we are still uncertain as to whether [the Paragomias bauxite mine] will be back on time, especially when the Covid-19 outbreak is so serious in Brazil now,” said an alumina trader in Beijing. Hydro announced on Monday, June 22, that its production at Paragominas bauxite mine in the state of Pará in northern Brazil is at a temporary halt due to power outage as three power transmission towers overturned on Saturday, June 20. Since the Paragominas mine supplies bauxite to Alunorte alumina...
LME aluminium price increased to $1577.5/t; Most-liquid SHFE contract came off from session highs
The US dollar continued to edge lower on Tuesday, June 23, hitting the lowest level in more than a week, as the US President Donald Trump boosted investors’ optimism after he tweeted that the trade deal with China was “still intact”. This followed an increase in the greenback when the markets were unsettled by surprise comments from White House trade adviser Peter Navarro who said the hard-won deal was “over”. Three-month LME aluminium consolidated weakly around the five and 10- day moving averages on Tuesday, falling to an intraday low of US$1,590.5 per tonne near closing and paring some losses to end 0.59% lower on the day. As of Tuesday, June 23, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price increased from US$ 1573 per tonne to US$ 1577.50 per tonne. 3-months bid...
Tanzania government announces to release Ocean Aluminium cargo held at port after thorough inspection
Tanzania government will release a consignment of aluminium products imported by the city-based Ocean Aluminium Company only after a thorough inspection by environmental experts. Such was the statement announced by the government last weekend. In Tanzania, under section 133(2) of the Environmental Act, 2004, any persons or companies are prohibited from importing, exporting, recycling or collecting hazardous waste including metal scrap, used batteries, electronic waste, and hospital dischargeable without prior approval of the National Environmental Management Council (Nemc). Ocean Aluminium Company had imported over 40 tonnes of aluminium without Nemc’s approval several months ago, and therefore, the consignment got stranded at the Dar es Salaam port. This prompted the minister of State in...
No laterite is sent to Vedanta, claims Andru Minerals
Andru Minerals, which owns eight mining leases in Vanthada village of Prathipadu Mandal, East Godavari district, has claimed that the allegations made on them of sending the laterite that they mine to Vedanta hold no truth, according to a recent report. In a press release, Andru Minerals stated that some cement companies use their laterite but not Vedanta. Vedanta obtains needed minerals locally as they have a tie-up with the Odisha government, added Andru Minerals in support of their claims that the allegations of exporting laterite to Vedanta are mistaken. Andru Minerals also said for further clarification that lease holders used to supply minerals to Andru Minerals in the past. Vedanta bought some of it then while some was exported to China. However, it all happened several years ago....
CAAM revises auto sales estimate for 2020 in line with China’s market recovery from COVID-19 pandemic
China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) has reportedly revised its estimate for China’s auto sales in 2020. From the previous estimate of a decline of 15-25 per cent, the association shows a sign of improvement expecting the sales to drop by 10-20 per cent, in line with China’s economy revival and market recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. CAAM data showed that China’s auto sales surged by double-digit in May, boosting optimism over the recovery from the Covid-19 crisis. The sales in the said month grew 14.5 per cent year on year, much faster than an increase of 4.4 per cent in April. Also, the decline of 22.6 per cent registered in the first five months of 2020 to 7.96 million units was 8.5 percentage points smaller than the decline seen in January-April period. On the...
NALCO increases its aluminium prices by nearly 1% w.e.f June 20 in line with market demand and consumption
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has again increased its aluminium prices with effect from Saturday, June 20, following a cut on Wednesday, June 17. According to the prices revealed by the company, aluminium ingots prices are now ranging between INR 140050 per tonne and INR 143,550 per tonne, up by INR 1000 per tonne or nearly 1 per cent from INR 139050-142550 per tonne on June 17. With the latest hike, the prices of aluminium billets have come in at INR143500-146150 per tonne compared to INR142,500-145,150 per tonne after the previous cut, while the prices of aluminium wire rods have clocked at INR 144,550-148,900 per tonne as against INR 143,550 – 147,900 per tonne on June 17. The above data shows that both the prices of aluminium billets and aluminium wire rods of NALCO have...
A00 aluminium ingot price in China again crosses RMB14,000/t benchmark amid muted input costs
On a further downfall of the social inventories of primary aluminium ingots in China on a brisk consumption on Monday, June 22, the price of A00 aluminium ingot has recorded a hike of RMB 70 per tonne to RMB 14,030 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. This marks the second consecutive growth of A00 aluminium ingot price, crossing the benchmark price of RMB 14,000 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,010 per tonne and RMB 14,050 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 220-240 per tonne. Chongqing has seen the highest growth in A00 aluminium ingot price today of about RMB 90 per tonne to RMB 14,020 per tonne, followed by Foshan, where the aluminium ingot price has increased by RMB 70 per tonne to stand at RMB 14,110 per tonne....
COVID-19 Aid: UK’s only aluminium composite panels manufacturer obtains £9million finance package
The United Kingdom’s only aluminium composite panels manufacturer named Multipanel UK Ltd has reportedly obtained a £9million finance package from HSBC UK. The finance package is mainly for diversifying product range, expanding business, and most importantly, safeguarding the future of the business from the coronavirus crisis. Multipanel UK, based in Exeter, makes aluminium composite panels for industries like sign making, exhibition stand design, and architecture. But now, with the intention to meet demand from various other industries for screen materials used in shops, offices, and leisure facilities, Mulpanel UK will upgrade its core product using the fund. This finance package can also be used to stabilise cash flow at a time when many of the company’s existing customers are closed...
Production at Hydro’s Paragominas bauxite mine and Alunorte alumina refinery affected due to power outage
Hydro’s production at Paragominas bauxite mine is at a temporary halt due to power supply cut as three power transmission towers overturned on Saturday, June 20. Repair work has started and regular power supply to Paragominas is expected to resume within the next two to three weeks. The Paragominas mine delivers bauxite to Alunorte alumina refinery in Barcarena via a 244-kilometre-long-pipeline. So, the temporary production halt at Paragominas mine has resulted in a 50-70 per cent production cut at Alunorte for this period to balance the bauxite inventories. No injuries to people or damage to the environment or other production assets have been reported as a result of this incident. Hydro also does not expect significant customer impact from the power outage. Hydro is taking necessary...
Former Indian union energy secretary EAS Sarma seeks independent investigation into illegal bauxite mining
Former Indian union energy secretary EAS Sarma has appealed for an independent investigation by Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) into the alleged illegal mining of bauxite in East Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts. In a letter addressed to the principal secretary of Karikal Valiven on Sunday, June 21, EAS Sarma wrote that he had been trying to bring into the notice of the State Government that private individuals and companies were extracting bauxite in the guise of laterite. He said private miners in collusion with the local mining officials had been producing false analysis certificates to show that the bauxite they were extracting and exporting to alumina refineries were indeed laterite, in order to circumvent the restriction of bauxite mining only...
Three-month LME aluminium finished lower at US$ 1,586 per tonne; SHFE climbed US$8/t
The US dollar rose for the fourth consecutive day last Friday and posted its best weekly gain in a month, as fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections boosted demand for safe-haven assets. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, was up 0.2% at 97.622, notching a four-day winning streak. Three-month LME aluminium finished lower at US$ 1,586 per tonne last Friday as it came off after climbed to a session high of US$ 1,605.50 per tonne, with investors covering their bullish positions. Open interest lost 2,775 lots to 831,000 lots. On Friday, June 19, both LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price stood at US$ 1578 per tonne after inching down from 1586.50 per tonne on Thursday, June 18. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price...
China’s economy revival to lead to global aluminium recovery in H2 2020, but oversupply issues to persist: Alcoa CFO
Aluminium demand is likely to rebound in the second half of 2020 as China’s economy has begun to revive leading to the global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. But the overcapacity may continue to pose challenges to the industry, pointed out Alcoa CFO William F. (Bill) Oplinger in early June. Oplinger, while participating during a virtual presentation for the Deutsche Bank Global Industrials & Materials Summit, said: “China is leading the recovery, and we are seeing some sectors in China reporting growth higher than 2019 levels in areas like industrial production, vehicle production, commercial starts and food and drink sales.” He added, “On top of that was the recently announced Chinese stimulus plan that makes provisions for investments in traditional and new infrastructure areas, so...
UAE’s aluminium crude metal and alloys exports to US surge by over 100% in March 2020
The latest data released by the US Geological Survey shows a significant surge in the United Arab Emirates’ aluminium crude metal and alloys exports to the United States in March 2020, following a dip in February. According to the data, the aluminium crude metal and alloys exports from the UAE to the US soared from 10,300 tonnes in February to 20,400 tonnes in March, an increase of 10,300 tonnes or 102 per cent month-on-month. But when compared to the same period last year, the UAE’s exports to the US plunged by 99.96 per cent from 53,200 tonnes. In January 2020, the export amount was 31,000 tonnes, meaning the United States’ imports from the UAE declined 67.42 per cent month-on-month in February 2020. In January also, the UAE’s aluminium crude metal and alloys exports to the US stood...
LME aluminium price trended up this week by US$32/t on declining opening stock; SHFE price edged lower over the week
The US dollar declined on Monday, June 15, amid mounting fears of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, while on Tuesday it rose on the back of a record rise in US retail sales. On Wednesday, the dollar continued to move higher and further expanded on Thursday, June 18. Three-month LME aluminium regained losses from early session last night, as it rallied from a session low of US$ 1,564.5 per tonne and closed 0.73% higher on Monday, June 15, at US$ 1,587.5 per tonne. On June 16, it ended up 1.04% to stand at US$1,604 per tonne and further higher for the third consecutive day on June 17 to US$ 1,607.5 per tonne. On June 18, however, it ended the day 0.47% lower at US$1,600 per tonne. Both LME aluminium cash (bid) and LME aluminium official settlement price began the week on Monday,...
AlCircle e-Magazine Pre-launch Alert-“Covid-19 Impact: Importance & Emergence of Industry 4.0”
Just when the Industry 4.0 was creating a buzz in the aluminium industry, inspiring smelters and plants to integrate digitalization in their operations management, the COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, made its emergence on the earth causing a pandemic and slowing down lives and livelihoods. The virus has caused radical shifts in workflows all across the globe as millions are practising social distancing and/or complying with self-quarantine recommendations. But while downsizing many industries, the pandemic’s dramatic appearance is believed to have accelerated numerous trends on the other hand, such as Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 is the current transformation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices with the latest smart technology. This primarily focuses on the...
Shandong Port Group to form a JV with Rizhao Port, bauxite port project at Boffa to get management services
According to a recent report, Shandong Port Overseas, a unit of Shandong Port Group, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Rizhao Port to jointly develop international markets. As per the deal signed, Shandong Port Overseas will set up a joint venture with Rizhao Port - Shandong Port Overseas Development (Rizhao) Company Limited. The joint venture will provide production management, equipment operation, and maintenance service for bauxite port project at Boffa, Guinea, and coal terminal at port Qasim, Pakistan. The joint venture company will also promote overseas resources consolidation and expand ports connection. Shandong Port Group, established in 2019, participates in several overseas port projects, mainly in Italy, United Arab Emirates, Guinea, Pakistan and Myanmar.
Baglietto’s 40-metre aluminium superyacht Hull 10232 makes her debut in La Spezia
Italy-based superyacht builder Baglietto has recently celebrated the formal launch of its fully-customised 40-metre aluminium superyacht known as Hull 10232 at its own facility in La Spezia, Italy. This marks the first superyacht launched by Baglietto in this year following the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy. Since the American owner of the yacht wanted a fully customised vessel, Baglietto developed the hull design from scratch. The yacht is 131 feet long and employs a semi-displacement hull form, with a bulbous bow for better seakeeping and efficiency. Interestingly, Baglietto, for the first time, has built a yacht with a vertical bow look. According to the report, Horacio Bozzo and Achille Salvagni have designed the sporty and elegant exterior of the yacht, which perfectly fits the lavish...
